Barack Obama’s presidential duties are about to finish, so on Tuesday he gave his last presidential Medals of Freedom and one of them went to Ellen DeGenres. The President awarded Ellen with the medal for her courage on blazing a trail for the LGBTQ equality.
These medals are the nation’s highest honor and this year was given to people that touched President Obama in a “powerful, personal way.” According to him, these people have somehow helped him to shape his presidency.
Ellen stood proudly next to Obama.
The comedian was given this honor almost twenty years after she came out as a lesbian. “At a pivotal moment, her courage and candor helped change the hearts and minds of million of Americans, accelerating our nation’s constant drive toward equality and acceptance for all,” the aide said.
They made a reference of Finding Dory.
The star plays as Dory in the Disney movie. “Ellen DeGeneres has shown us that a single individual can make the world a more fun, more open, more loving place, as long as we keep swimming.”
Obama gave the award to 21 people including Bruce Springsteen and Michael Jordan.
“It’s useful, when you think about this incredible collection of people, to realize this is what makes us the greatest nation on Earth,” Obama explained. “Not because of our differences, but because in our differences we find something in common to share. And what a glorious gift that is.”
This medal represents more than what it seems.
One concern about the next administration is that Trump is less likely to support the battle for equality that the LGBTQ has been fighting, which means they have a long way ahead.
We’ll miss you Barack!